UTAR NEW VILLAGE COMMUNITY PROJECT

REPORT

NAME OF NEW VILLAGE:

PADANG TENGKU 巴登冬姑

PAHANG

Project carried out by:

Student Name

ID Number

Course

Year/Semester

1.Shasivarman A/L Gannason

1307191

Bachelor of

Arts(Hons)English

Education

Year1/Sem1

2.Surendraj A/L Manivanan

1307516

Bachelor of Business

Administration(Hons)

Banking and Finance

Year1/Sem1

3.Terrence Jessindran Anthony

1308083

Bachelor of Engineering

(Hons)Petrochemical

Engineering

Year1/Sem1

DATE OF COMPLETION:

OCTOBER 2013

PADANG TENGKU

ABSTRACT

Padang Tengku was established in 1951. It is located in the district of Kuala Lipis in the state of

Pahang. Towns close to this new village are Kuala Lipis and Gua Musang. The main attraction in

Padang Tengku is the railway station. The Padang Tengku railway station is train station named

after the town of Krambit, Pahang. The main sources of income are from rubber tapping and work in

the oil palm plantations. Besides these, other economic activities in this village include logging, saw

milling and iron and gold mining.

1

PADANG TENGKU

2

HISTORY

During the Malayan Emergency, the main aim of the New Villages in Malaysia was to

segregate the villagers from the early Malayan Races Liberation Army. It was planned to

overcome the communists insurgency. Around 10 % of Malaya’s population was related to

“new villages” during this period of Emergency. By doing this, the British authorities were

able to stem the critical flow of information and supplies to the communists. Removing a

population that might be sympathetic to guerrillas was a counter insurgency technique which

the British had used before against the Boer Commandos in the Second Boer War (1899-

1902).

PADANG TENGKU

3

INTRODUCTION

Padang Tengku is located in Kuala Lipis,Pahang.

Nearby towns includes:

Kuala Lipis which is 20km south east from Padang Tengku

Gua Musang which is 100km north from Padang Tengku

Mr. Tan Kok Ong, the village head, provided the project team with information about

the village’s population growth and decline. When the village was founded in 1951, it had a

small population of below 100. Over the years, the population increased as the mines and

rubber plantations boosted the local economy. However, in recent years, many villagers from

the younger generation have migrated to urban areas in search of better employment

opportunities. This has led to a decline in Padang Tengku’s population which stands at

approximately 150 in 2013.

PADANG TENGKU

4

POPULATION, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION

Population

In 2013, Padang Tengku’s population has dwindled to approximately 150. Of this total, about

100 are Chinese and the remainder are Malays and Indians.

Housing

There are about 100 houses in this village, of which 90 are detached houses. The remaining

houses are semi-detached and terrace houses. Most detached homes are wooden structures.

Other houses are concrete-and-wood structures. There are also a few shoplots in the village.

Transportation

The frequency of public bus service is once every 3 hours. Because of its infrequent service,

public buses are not popular. Most villagers travel by motorcycle and few own motorcars.

PADANG TENGKU

5

ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

The main sources of income in Padang Tengku are as follows:

a) Work in oil palm and rubber plantations

b) Logging

c) Saw milling

Oil palm plantation in Padang Tengku

According Mr. Tan Kok Ong work in oil palm estates provide the main source of

income in Padang Tengku. All the output of the oil palm estates are sold to RISDA. The saw

mills provide another important source of employment in this area where logging takes place

in the jungle. Some villagers run small shops and restaurants. The monthly income per family

in Padang Tengku is below RM2000. As a result, many youths in Padang Tengku are not

interested in agriculture and they migrate to urban areas to further their studies or to seek

better employment opportunities.

PADANG TENGKU

6

SOCIAL, CULTURAL AND RELIGOUS PRACTICES

Households of different races and beliefs can be differentiated easily by looking at the

structure of the houses and the items that they place around the houses. Take, for example, the

Buddhists who place altars in front of their shops and houses. Most Chinese villagers are

Buddhist and they are seen burning incense at places of worship such as the Chinese temple

(picture below) which Mr. Tan showed us.

Chinese temple in Padang Tengku

After visiting Padang Tengku’s Chinese temple, Mr. Tan brought us to an Indian

neighbourhood. Most Indians are Hindus and they often place altars with pictures of Hindu

deities in front of their houses. They also use jossticks when the worship of their gods. There

is only one Hindu temple in Padang Tengku. The name of this temple is Attivana Sri Sivan

temple and it is well known throughout Malaysia.

The Malay villagers are Muslims. They worship at a mosque in the village.

The main festivals held in the village are Chinese New Year, Lantern festivals and

dumpling festival. These are festivals are celebrated by the Chinese worldwide. The Indians

celebrate Deepavali, temple festival and Karthigai. Malays celebrate Hari Raya Haji and Hari

Raya Aidilfitri.

PADANG TENGKU

7

Indian temple in Padang Tengku

PADANG TENGKU

8

EDUCATION

There are two kindergartens in Padang Tengku: Rukun Tetangga Kindergarten and

Tabika Kemas. Rukun Tetangga Kindergarten has below 20 students and 2 teachers. Tabika

Kemas has two teachers and more than 20 students. This kindergarten has a playground and a

field where children can play. Both kindergartens are run by the government.

Tabika Kemas in Padang Tengku

There are two primary schools in Padang Tengku: One is SJK (C) Padang Tengku and

SRK Padang Tengku. SJK(C) Padang Tengku has a small basketball court, canteen, library,

ICT room, teacher’s office and classrooms. It has over 100 students and fewer than 10

teachers.

SRK Padang Tengku has a bigger enrolment of over 400 students and more than 40

teachers. This school has a big field which is used for the annual sports day, football and

hockey matches. It has a canteen, a school hall, a teacher’s office and classrooms. Normally

students from this school continue their studies in SMK Padang Tengku.

PADANG TENGKU

9

SJK(C) Padang Tengku

There are two secondary schools in Padang Tengku: SMK Padang Tengku and SM

Agama Padang Tengku. SM Agama Padang Tengku has over 800 students and more than 40

teachers. SMK Padang Tengku has more than 1000 students and more than 70 teachers. Each

of these schools has a field, a canteen, a library, a computer lab, a hostel, offices and

classroom. Students in both schools sit for the PMR and SPM examinations. A common

problem they face is the shortage of teachers.

After secondary school, some students further their studies in the university.

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman is a popular choice among Chinese villagers of Padang

Tengku.

PADANG TENGKU

10

SMK Padang Tengku

Library of SMK Padang Tengku

PADANG TENGKU

11

SM Agama Padang Tengku

PADANG TENGKU

12

INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES

Mr. Tan Kok Ong expressed his unfailing gratitude towards the government and

sponsors who have contributed much to the community in Padang Tengku. He informed us

that if villagers submit formal complaints, these complaints are dealt with within 2 working

days. A meeting of the village committee is held once a month when all complaints are listed.

The Jabatan Bekalan Air (JBA) provides piped water to the village. This includes

water for washing and cooking. The water supplied comes from underground water and is

clean. Electricity is generated from Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) substations and every

household is able to enjoy this service. During rainy days, electricity in certain areas in

Padang Tengku may be affected due to the lightning. However, any problems with electricity

supply is promptly addressed when reports are made to TNB.

Alam Flora is responsible for collecting rubbish in Padang Tengku and for keeping the

environment clean. Garbage collection occurs daily. Sewage disposal Padang Tengku is

managed by Indah Water. Flush toilets are used in all houses.

Telecommunication services are provided by Telekom Malaysia (TM), Digi and

Celcom and these services are generally reliable. There is transmission tower near the village.

Some mobile operator networks may be interrupted on rainy days, but services are resumed

soon after the rain has stopped.

There are private clinics as well as a government-run clinic in Padang Tengku. The

government clinic provides good medical care and its services are free for seniors citizens.

This clinic has 2 doctors, 3 medical assistants and 15 nurses.

There is also a police station in the village. According to Mr. Tan, the local police is

quite effective in fighting crime.

PADANG TENGKU

13

Padang Tengku government clinic

Padang Tengku police station

PADANG TENGKU

14

MCA office in Padang Tengku

Because of its multi-ethnic population, Hindu temples, Buddhist temples, “masjid”

and surau are built for convenience of all. Even burial grounds for people of different faiths

are available. Padang Tengku has shops, stalls and markets which sell groceries and other

goods to villagers. Wet markets are always open during the day and night markets operate at

least twice a week. Fruits and vegetables are considered inexpensive here as they are

harvested by some of the villagers and sold in bulk to customers.

PADANG TENGKU

15

Padang Tengku Railway Station

Most villagers travel by motorcycle or walk to their destinations. Some villagers own

private cars. Public bus service resumed a few months ago.

Government offices in the village include the “Pejabat Pertanian” and RISDA. There

are new housing projects in the village currently.

PADANG TENGKU

16

PROBLEMS

During rainy days, telecommunication signals are barely detected. Since most

residents do not have a landline, they find it difficult to make emergency contact on rainy

days. Electricity shut-downs are also common in Padang Tengku if it is a rainy day, and

villagers are dissatisfied with the service.

Furthermore, the absence of a proper drainage system has created problems for

residents. The river near Padang Tengku can sometimes overflow its banks and cause

flooding. Residents are therefore demanding a proper drainage system in the village to deal

with this situation.

Villagers are generally satisfied with the schools with the school in Padang Tengku.

Students are believed to be treated well by the teachers and they receive full support from the

government for study aids and equipment. Residents are also pleased with the sponsorships

received from several NGO’s to assist them in their work and daily endeavours. Security and

safety measures in the village are handled by the police officers who attend to crime and

investigations at a fast and steady pace. Last but not least, health concerns in the village are

handled very well in the clinics provided. Constant spraying of mosquito repellents are

practiced in the village to inhibit germination of Aedes mosquito larvae. Medical checkups

are available in the clinics for the good of all residents in Padang Tengku.

PADANG TENGKU

17

RECOMMENDATIONS

Investors are often not aware of opportunities in Padang Tengku and they may be

discouraged by its “rural” image. Perhaps the authorities could highlight and publicize

investment opportunities in this village to encourage outsiders to set up new businesses here.

The government needs to look into the drainage system with the objective of

mitigating flooding in this village. This is a major concern among villagers.

Interviewing Mr. Tan Kok Ong

PADANG TENGKU

18

The students present a souvenir to Mr. Tan

DISCLAIMER:

Information contained in this report was compiled by the University’s students on voluntary basis. Although

every effort has been made to check the accuracy of the report, the University accepts no responsibility

whatsoever for any errors or omissions, if any, the University reserves the right to make changes on the

information at any time without prior notice.

Should there be any queries regarding contents of the report, please contact:

Department of Soft Skills Competency

Tel: 03-79582628 ext 8274, 8656, 8269

05- 4688888 ext 2297/2299/2300

(Klang Valley Campus)

(Perak Campus)